Rifugio Rino Olmo

Rifugio Rino Olmo is an Italian mountain hut (rifugio) situated in the municipality of Castione della Presolana, in the upper Seriana Valley within the Orobie Prealps, at an elevation of 1,819 metres above sea level. It was created through the renovation of an existing alpine baita (shepherd's hut) and was officially inaugurated on 29 September 1991. The renovation and subsequent management were undertaken by the Clusone section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), which dedicated the hut to Rino Olmo, a mountaineer counted among the founders of both the local alpine section and the alpine rescue service. The hut occupies a natural basin just below the Olone and Pozzera passes, small mountain passes that connect the Valzurio (in the municipality of Oltressenda Alta) with the orographic side of Castione della Presolana and the Valle dei Mulini. From the rifugio, visitors enjoy a direct view of the south face of the Presolana, a Dolomite-origin massif that dominates the entire area. The structure serves as a base for hikers, climbers and ski mountaineers exploring the Orobie range. Access to Rifugio Rino Olmo is possible via several marked trails. From Clusone, hikers follow trail 317 behind the local basilica to Colle Blum, Cima Parè and Baita di Campo, then continue on trail 327 to Passo di Olone before descending briefly to the hut. From Rusio, a hamlet of Castione della Presolana, the route starts at Trattoria dei Mulini in the valley of the same name, following trail 317 past Baita Pozzetto and Baita di Campo to Passo Olone. From Donico near Passo della Presolana, trail 315 offers two alternatives: one to the right passing Baita Cassinelli and Grotta dei Pagani, and one to the left joining trail 319 to Colle Presolana, Baita Presolana and then trail 318 to Passo di Pozzera, from which the hut is a few minutes away. From Villa d'Ogna and Valzurio (a hamlet of Oltressenda Alta), a drivable but unpaved road climbs toward Nasolino and Valzurio; in summer a pass can be purchased to drive as far as Moschel at about 1,250 m, from where trail 320 leads up to the rifugio. The main ascent from the hut is the normal route to the summit of Presolana Occidentale, the highest peak of the massif. Numerous alternative options exist, including routes with high alpine difficulty grades. Other nearby objectives include Cima di Bares (1,974 m), Pizzo Olone (1,983 m) and the Valzurio ridge (2,011 m). The hut is also a staging point for longer excursions, most notably the periplo (circuit) of the Presolana, completed a few years ago by the CAI Clusone section. This demanding but highly scenic route descends from Olmo into Valzurio and reaches Val di Scalve via Passo di Scagnello (2,076 m), then continues with a gentle descent to Rifugio Albani. The second part is more challenging, passing through a via ferrata to Passo della Porta (2,215 m) and Monte Visolo; after reaching the south side in Valle dell'Ombra, hikers climb Passo di Pozzera (2,126 m) and Passo degli Agnelli (1,940 m) before returning to Rifugio Olmo. Other recommended itineraries lead to the Moschel huts on the Valzurio side, Rifugio Albani, Passo di Pozzera (2,197 m), Bivacco Clusone (2,050 m), Cappella Savina (2,085 m), Rifugio Malga Cassinelli, Grotta dei Pagani and Malga Presolana (1,538 m). As a commercial offering, Rifugio Rino Olmo operates as a hospitality and refreshment point for mountain visitors, typically providing food, beverages and overnight accommodation, though specific services are not detailed in the available sources. It is a member of the network of rifugi managed by the Club Alpino Italiano, a non-profit association, and its official website is rifugioolmo.it.

Rifugio Rino Olmo was established through the renovation of an existing alpine baita (a traditional shepherd's hut) in the upper Seriana Valley, within the municipality of Castione della Presolana in the Province of Bergamo, Lombardy. The project was carried out by the Clusone section of the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), Italy's national alpine association. The renovated structure was officially inaugurated on 29 September 1991. The hut was dedicated to Rino Olmo, a mountaineer who is remembered as one of the founders of both the local CAI alpine section and the local alpine rescue service. This dedication reflects the strong tradition of mountaineering and mountain rescue in the Clusone area and the Presolana massif. Since its opening, the rifugio has operated as a hospitality point for hikers, climbers and ski mountaineers. It is situated at 1,819 metres above sea level in a basin just below the Olone and Pozzera passes, which link the Valzurio with the Castione della Presolana side and the Valle dei Mulini. The location offers direct views of the south face of the Presolana, a Dolomite-origin massif that is the dominant peak of the area. The CAI Clusone section has continued to manage the hut, maintaining it as part of the broader network of Italian alpine huts. In the years following its inauguration, the section also completed the periplo (circuit) of the Presolana, a demanding high-altitude route that uses Rifugio Rino Olmo as a starting and ending point. The hut remains an active base for ascents to Presolana Occidentale, Cima di Bares, Pizzo Olone and the Valzurio ridge, as well as for numerous excursions to nearby huts, passes and natural features such as the Grotta dei Pagani and Malga Presolana.

• 1991

  Rifugio Rino Olmo inaugurated after renovation of an existing baita by the CAI Clusone section.

A CAI-managed mountain hut in the Orobie Prealps, serving hikers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the Presolana massif.

• Mountain hut hospitality services

  Food, beverage and overnight accommodation for hikers and climbers.

1. 1Rifugio Rino Olmo – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Rifugio Rino Olmo – Wikipedia (Italian)it.wikipedia.org
3. 3Official websiterifugioolmo.it